Irish Navy ship for Philly

The Irish Consulate has announced details of the first ever visit to Philadelphia of Ireland’s Naval Service flagship the Eithne, from July 14-17 in Philadelphia.

The ship, captained by Commander David Barry, will berth at Penn’s Landing and open to the public at appropriate times on July 14 and 16.

At 10 a.m. on July 15, the captain, crew members, civic dignitaries and Ireland’s Deputy Consul General in New York, Breandán Ó Caollaí, will take part in commemorative events at the Irish Memorial at Front and Chestnut Streets. This will be followed by another commemorative event at the Commodore John Barry monument on Independence Square.

At 6:30 p.m. on July 16, a team from the Eithne will play a friendly game of Gaelic football with a selection from Philadelphia’s local GAA at Cardinal Doughtery High School at 6301 N 2nd Street.

Following the Gaelic football match, various Irish county associations and the Commodore John Barry Irish Center on Emlen Street will host the crew to a post-game celebration. The Irish Center, in association with the Irish Arts Center New York, will also launch “To Love Two Countries,” a fascinating photo exhibition of longtime resident Irish immigrants in Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York.

Other elements of the program will include a welcome reception for the crew hosted by the AOH and other Irish groups. Commodore David Barry will pay the customary courtesy calls on civic, political and military figures.

In addition to those already mentioned a large number of Irish, civic and other groups in Philadelphia including the Irish American Business Chamber and Network have worked together in the organization and support of the program of events, which is being coordinated by the Consulate General of Ireland.